Pediatric Dentistry Research Articles

Balancing and compensating primary tooth extractions: Paediatric dentists' approaches

Balancing and compensating primary tooth extractions: Paediatric dentists' approaches

Herbal Use and Oral Health in Children: Pilot Study

Herbal Use and Oral Health in Children: Pilot Study

Early Childhood Caries: Expectant Mothers’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Willingness to Treatment

Abstract Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most challenging diseases in childhood, which may begin as soon as teeth erupt into the oral cavity. The treatment is invasive, causing physical as well as mental stress not only among children and parents but also among dentists. ECC also places a heavy financial burden on the community. Hence, preventive treatment is considered to be of utmost importance. This study carried out in Kerala aimed to assess expectant mothers’ knowledge, attitude, and willingness to treat early childhood caries. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 150 expectant mothers visiting the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. A validated 28-item questionnaire was administered to know mothers’ awareness of the importance of primary teeth and their attitude, willingness, and readiness to initiate preventive oral healthcare for their children. Results: The result showed that around 89.3% were unaware of when to begin tooth brushing, around 78% had no idea that sharing utensils and frequent kissing can transmit cariogenic bacteria, and almost 81.3% of mothers were unaware of the fact that frequent snacking increases the probability of caries. About 82.7% preferred pedodontist for treatment. Conclusion: Expectant mothers have inadequate knowledge about oral health. The study showed that employed mothers had better oral hygiene knowledge than unemployed mothers. However, educated mothers were willing to prevent this through early identification and regular checkups. Clinical Significance: Kerala is a state with almost 100% literacy, but expectant mothers still have inadequate knowledge about the importance of oral health. The most common barrier to poor oral health in children is insufficient information among mothers about practices for preventing dental healthcare-associated problems. Awareness about dental health must be started during pregnancy to initiate prevention as early as possible. Healthcare information provided to expectant mothers can effectively prevent ECC, and education programs targeted at them will have a higher chance of success. Steps to include awareness programs among medical care providers who are in regular contact with the expectant mother are of paramount importance.

Associations Of Movement Behaviors With Oral Health In Children And Adolescents

Associations Of Movement Behaviors With Oral Health In Children And Adolescents

The toothbrush drill: children's dental health past and present

The toothbrush drill: children's dental health past and present

KiddosSmile Increase Malang Children's Oral Health Awareness and Knowledge

KiddosSmile Increase Malang Children's Oral Health Awareness and Knowledge

A Deep-learning System for Diagnosing Ectopic Eruption

Objectives: To construct a diagnostic model for mixed dentition using a multistage deep-learning network to predict potential ectopic eruption in permanent teeth by integrating dentition segmentation into the process of automatic classification of dental development stages.Methods: A database was established by reviewing 1576 anonymous panoramic radiographs of children aged 6–12 years, collected at the Stomatology Hospital, xxxxxx. These radiographs were categorised as normal or ectopic eruption, with expert diagnoses serving as a benchmark for training and evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) models. Furthermore, tooth boundaries and dental development stages were manually annotated by three pediatric dentistry experts. The dataset was split into training, validation, and test sets at an 8:1:1 ratio.Results: The diagnostic performance of the deep-learning model was rigorously evaluated. The model demonstrated accuracy in tooth segmentation, with Intersection over Union, precision, sensitivity, and F1 scores of 0.959, 0.993, 0.966, and 0.979, respectively. Furthermore, its ability to identify tooth ectopic eruptions on panoramic radiographs, when compared to evaluations by three dentists. Based on McNemar's test, the model's specificity and accuracy in identifying ectopic tooth eruptions on the test dataset surpassed that of Dentist 1 (P < 0.05), while no significant difference was observed compared to the other two dentists. Besides, the deep learning model also showed its potential in classifying dental development stages, as tested against three different standards.Conclusions: The adaptability of the AI-enabled model in this study was demonstrated across multiple scenarios, with clinical validation highlighting its efficacy in diagnosing ectopic eruptions using a multistage deep-learning approach.Clinical Significance: Our findings provide new insights and technical support for the prevention and treatment of abnormal tooth eruption, laying the groundwork for predictive models for other prevalent pediatric dentistry conditions.

Using Google Trends to general anesthesia in pediatric dentistry

Using Google Trends to general anesthesia in pediatric dentistry

Accuracy of Teleconsultation in Pediatric Dentistry

Accuracy of Teleconsultation in Pediatric Dentistry

Rotary Files in Pediatric Dentistry: A Review Article

Rotary Files in Pediatric Dentistry: A Review Article

Odontogenic tumors in pediatric dentistry

Odontogenic tumors in pediatric dentistry

Knowledge, Attitude and Perception Regarding the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Dentistry in a Group of Egyptian Dental Students. A cross sectional study.

Knowledge, Attitude and Perception Regarding the Future of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Dentistry in a Group of Egyptian Dental Students. A cross sectional study.

OPTIMIZATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF CARIES TREATMENT IN THE FIELD OF PERMANENT TEETH FISSURES IN CHILDREN

Dental caries is the most common dental disease in children. The problem of timely diagnosis, prevention and adequate treatment of this pathology occupies one of the leading places in pediatric therapeutic dentistry. However, before applying the sealant, the dentist faces the difficult task of assessing the condition of the fissure, diagnosing a possible latent carious lesion, and choosing adequate tactics for therapeutic and preventive measures. Fissure caries occupies the first place in the structure of carious lesions of the teeth. Based on this, the problem of prevention and treatment of fissure caries is extremely urgent. It has been established that fissure caries occurs immediately after teething. The high incidence of fissure caries is associated with the features of the anatomical structure of the fissures, the accumulation of food residues and the formation of aggressive dental plaque in the natural recesses of the tooth and a longer period of hypomineralization compared with smooth tooth surfaces. There is a direct relationship between the initial level of mineralization of the enamel of fissure teeth and the risk of fissure caries.

Enhancing Pediatric Dental Care: The Influence of Virtual Reality.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of virtual reality (VR) in reducing pain and anxiety levels in children. The study also compared active and passive distraction methods using VR during the delivery of inferior alveolar nerve blocks (IANBs) in dental procedures in children. The study comprised 45 preschool patients, aged between 4 and 6 years, with no prior dental anesthetic experience. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups based on the sort of management style: Group A used the tell-show-do technique, Group B engaged in passive distraction by watching cartoons using a VR headset, and Group C participated in active distraction by playing games using a controller with the VR headset. Pain and anxiety were evaluated using physiological measurements, namely by analyzing the variations in blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation before and after the administration of IANB. Psychological assessments were conducted using the Wong-Baker faces scale, Modified Dental Anxiety scale questionnaires, and Revised Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability scale after administering IANB. The physiological outcomes revealed no statistically significant differences in blood pressure and oxygen saturation. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the heart rate in group A compared with groups B and C. In terms of psychological measurements, groups B and C exhibited a significant improvement in pain experience and a decrease in anxiety. This study concluded that VR reduced pain and anxiety levels in its passive and active forms.

Evaluation of Spin in Abstracts of Randomized Controlled Trials Published in Pediatric Dentistry Journals

Evaluation of Spin in Abstracts of Randomized Controlled Trials Published in Pediatric Dentistry Journals

Depth of Cure, Surface Characteristics, Hardness, and Brushing Wear of 4 Direct Restorative Materials in Paediatric Dentistry

Aim: The study aimed to compare the depth of cure, hardness, surface roughness, and wear resistance of four restorative materials used in pediatric dentistry: FUJI IX GP FAST, RivaSilver, SDR flow+, and Vertise Flow. Materials and Methods: The depth of cure was measured per ISO 4049 standards using a digital caliper, with 15 samples of each material. Hardness was evaluated using a Vickers indenter under a 10 N load for 20 s. Surface roughness was assessed before and after acid exposure using an optical profilometer according to ISO 4288. Brushing wear resistance was analyzed by subjecting samples to 20 and 60 min of brushing, followed by roughness measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using independent sample t-tests to determine the significance of differences between the materials, with p-values &lt; 0.05 considered significant. Results: SDR flow+ exhibited the highest depth of cure with an average of 3.5 mm (±0.2 mm), significantly higher than Vertise Flow at 2.8 mm (±0.3 mm) (p &lt; 0.001). Hardness testing revealed SDR flow+ had the highest average hardness (85 HV ± 4 HV), while Vertise Flow had the lowest (72 HV ± 5 HV) (p &lt; 0.001). Surface roughness increased significantly after acid exposure for RivaSilver (from 1.2 μm ± 0.12 μm to 1.6 μm ± 0.15 μm, p = 0.007) and for SDR flow+ (from 0.85 μm ± 0.08 μm to 1.3 μm ± 0.14 μm, p = 0.001). Brushing wear resistance was highest in RivaSilver (Ra increase from 1.2 μm to 1.4 μm ± 0.11 μm) and lowest in FUJI IX GP FAST (Ra increase from 1.5 μm to 1.9 μm ± 0.15 μm, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The study demonstrates significant differences in performance among the tested materials. SDR flow+ showed a superior depth of cure and hardness, making it suitable for high-stress applications. However, all materials displayed increased surface roughness following acid exposure and brushing, with FUJI IX GP FAST showing the highest wear. These findings highlight the need to select restorative materials based on the specific clinical demands of pediatric patients, considering both their mechanical properties and resistance to wear and acid.

Pediatric Dentistry Program Directors as stakeholders in the process of Board certification.

Board certification is an important credential for pediatric dentists to achieve for purposes of career advancement, hospital privileges, and reputation. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the engagement of residency Program Directors (PDs) with the Board certification process in terms of criteria for clinical readiness, curriculum development, and value. An additional objective was to identify challenges and ways in which PDs may need support as they prepare residents for Board certification. Eighty-seven PDs were invited to participate in this study, out of which 32 agreed to participate (36% response rate). The study included a digital non-validated survey and verbal interviews. Digital and verbal survey results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. PDs had recurrent themes in their descriptions of clinical readiness, including information gathering, application of knowledge, and professional awareness. Half of the participants used the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) exam domains as a guideline in their curriculum development. Of the verbal interview participants (N=32), 30(94%) felt that Board certification was very important to their residents and program. Many barriers to successful completion of the Board exam were discussed, and a diverse array of suggestions were made for mechanisms to better support PDs as they prepare residents for Board certification. Board certification is valued by PDs and influences their criteria for clinical readiness. Increased engagement with the ABPD will facilitate better support for PDs and will enhance the consistency of training standards in residency programs.

Sistem Pakar Diagnosis Penyakit Gigi pada Anak Usia 5-12 Tahun Menggunakan Metode Forward Chaining

Children's dental health is a crucial aspect that must be carefully attended to, as despite being the hardest tissue in the human body, teeth are highly susceptible to bacterial attacks. Many parents neglect their children's dental health, mainly due to limited economic resources and insufficient knowledge about the importance of early dental care. Dental diseases in children can lead to more severe health problems if not properly treated. Therefore, a system is needed to help detect dental problems in children at an early stage. This expert system for diagnosing dental diseases in children is designed to replicate the thought process of a dentist in diagnosing dental issues based on symptoms inputted by the user. This study uses the forward chaining method, which is reliable in accurately identifying dental problems and providing early treatment recommendations, as well as oral health information. The system is expected to assist parents in detecting their children's dental issues and offering appropriate recommendations before consulting a dentist. Furthermore, this system has the potential to be used in clinics or health centers to support the dental diagnosis process more quickly and efficiently.

Non-pharmacological interventions for reducing dental anxiety in pediatric dentistry: a network meta-analysis

BackgroundChild dental anxiety is a prevalent issue in the field of pediatric dentistry. At present, several non-pharmacological interventions are employed to mitigate anxiety during dental treatments for children. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of diverse non-pharmacological interventions in reducing dental anxiety, as well as enhancing heart rate during pediatric dental treatments. To achieve this, we conducted a systematic review and a network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the efficacy of various outcome indicators.MethodsA thorough search was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, and AMED to identify all eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the beginning of the databases up to August 1, 2024. The quality assessment was carried out using the Cochrane Collaboration’s bias risk tool. The two outcome measures under consideration were dental anxiety and heart rate. Network graphs, league tables and SUCRA were constructed using R 4.2.3 software and Stata 16 software. This study is registered in PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42023467610.ResultsThe study examined 12 different non-pharmacological approaches, drawing from a pool of 61 research studies involving 6,113 participants aged 4 to 16 years. The results of the network meta-analysis revealed that music (SUCRAs: 93.60%) proved to be the most effective measure in mitigating dental anxiety, followed by aromatherapy (SUCRAs: 78.58%) and game (SUCRAs: 70.99%). Moreover, hypnosis (SUCRAs: 98.80%), music (SUCRAs: 79.58%), and relaxation (SUCRAs: 72.41%) were identified as the top three interventions for decreasing heart rate.ConclusionIn this NMA, when contemplating dental anxiety outcomes, music is recommended as a priority. For heart rate outcomes, hypnosis may be a preferred measure. However, owing to the limited number of articles, the conclusion of this study still requires additional confirmation or correction through more high-quality primary studies in the future.

Recent Developments in the Non-Pharmacological Management of Children's Behavior Based on Distraction Techniques: A Concise Review.

Oral diseases and conditions affect children's oral health and negatively influence their overall health. Early detection and intervention are important in mitigating these negative consequences. However, dental fear and anxiety (DFA) regarding dental procedures often hinder children from seeking necessary dental care. Non-pharmacological behavior management strategies, such as distraction techniques, are commonly adopted to manage children's behaviors. Distraction techniques have been developed rapidly in recent years and are widely accepted by both health professionals and parents due to their noninvasive and low-cost nature. This concise review aims to summarize current distraction techniques applied during dental treatments, especially for children. The most commonly reported techniques for children are audio distraction, audio-visual distraction, tactile distraction, olfactory distraction, and gustatory distraction. Audio distraction techniques involving music and storytelling help children relax. Audio-visual distraction techniques help to divert children's attention from the dental treatment. Tactile stimuli can reduce the transmission of pain signals. Olfactory stimuli can help children feel comfortable and relaxed. Gustatory distraction involving sweet substances can create a positive environment. These distraction techniques effectively reduce DFA in children and improve their satisfaction with dental procedures. As technology continues to develop, further research is needed to provide more robust, evidence-based guidance for dentists using distraction techniques.